How can I get my manuscript published?

Question

I wrote a book this past year and I want to know how to get it published. I ve never done it before and I have no idea how to bgin the process. Can anyone enlighten me as to how to contact the right people?

Answer 1

All I know is that you need an agent. Try using google to search for book agents. I know publishers won't talk to you unless you have no, no matter how good it is.

What's it about?

Answer 2

1. Do not listen to naysayers and people who seek to do nothing but drag you down by telling you how terrible your odds are for getting published (i.e. one of the answers here). There are lots of successful authors out there who came from humble beginnings. Know that there will be a lot of rejection, and account for that in your strategy. Everybody is an unknown at some point.
2. Don't buy the Writer's Market books, but get them from the library. The reason is because they are updated every year, and it would be too much to keep up with on an annual basis.
3. Look at valuable books like "Putting Your Passion Into Print" and "The Novel Writer's Toolkit" for ideas.
4. If you're looking for an agent, be sure to do your research. Do not send things to an agent who has not represented your genre, or in incorrect format, etc. These are all signs of amateurs. Use the Writer's Market to find agents and publishers, and follow the guidelines. Go to agent websites whenever available.
5. If you plan on self-publishing (look into this), go with reputable houses like Author House and iUniverse, for example. If you are unfamiliar with contracts, get an entertainment or other lawyer who is familiar with the publishing industry to read it over for you. Make sure you retain all rights and can have the book published on second run at any time should a large house buy your book.
6. Don't give up.

Answer 3

The publishing world is one of the most difficult and frustrating there is out there. Without knowing "the right people," and having contacts, your manuscript is all but doomed. An agent might help but to get one you have to have credentials (usually). Most manuscripts that are sent in over the transom (without an agent) languish for months if not years in huge piles on the desks of junior editors, and most NEVER get read at all. BEFORE you write a book, you really need to check and see if a market exists. Spending all that time writing a book (is it totally polished, perfecly executed on 24 lb paper with perfect margins, and correct style?) is foolish unless you know you have at least a smidgeon of hope of seeing publication. You can start sending it in to publishers (better do a lot of research to find out which publisher publishes the type of book you wrote), then wait for the rejection letters to start piling up. Again, this is a VERY rough business and publishing houses receive literally thousands and thousands of manuscripts each and every year. Out of those, only a handful are published and those are usually handled by agents. These are the cold hard facts of the thing.

Answer 4

Buy Writer's Market. First, figure out your audience and genre. Then look through Writer's Market for publishers of your genre and audience. Keep in mind, many of the "big" publishers won't even read a manuscript unless you have an agent. You don't NEED an agent. An agent is a good tool, but plenty of people are published without agents.

When you come up with a list of publishers, research them. Find out what book they've published. When you've weeded out some (or none) send out your letter. Generally fiction books need query letters and nonfiction books need cover letters, but Writer's Market will specify with each publisher. I'd reccommed researching query and cover letters awhile before sending one out, they can be pretty hard ( I found them that way at least) after you mail the letter, wait. But don't just relax, keep writing so you have more to send out!

Answer 5

Publishers won't accept manuscripts from unpublished authors unless they've been recommended by an agent. Write to a literary agent first, tell them about your story, send them a couple of chapters so they can look at your work, then sit back and cross your fingers. Good luck.

Answer 6

There are several books on the subject that can be of great assistance. Check out BN.com for a list. Also, you will want to get an agent. Most serious publishers only deal with agents. Research the agents you are considering before you send in anything. The books will help you with exactly how to submit your work to them. I'm just finishing up my first book myself, so here's wishing good luck to both of us!

Answer 7

Get the most recent version ot the Writer's Market. It's absolutely invaluable for writers who are trying to get published. You have to determine your market, which publishers are accepting manuscripts etc.. Consider getting an agent who will take you on and do the legwork for you. This isn't always right for first time writers but the Writer's Market can help you see what kind of work you are in for. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/104-0496393-3343131?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=2007+Writer%27s+Market&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go

Answer 8

Congratulations on finishing your book! That's a tremendous accomplishment in itself. Most would-be writers never get there, and are haunted their entire lives as a result.

If you want to get published, move to new york city and start meeting people in the industry. If they like it, you'll have a much better chance of getting published with their help.

Answer 9

Buy a Writer's Market book and try to find a literary agent best suited for your genre and title. If submitting your three sample chapters after your query letter, make sure the manuscript is formatted according to the agent's requirements.

Check their website for submission instructions and follow it to the letter.

Answer 10

There's a lot of great info on www.AuthorHouse.com. You might consider self-publishing. I am writing a book myself and I'm going to check further into self-publishing with this company.